Director, Software Development Department

Job Description

JOB PURPOSEThe role holder is responsible for managing the Software Development Department, overseeing the development and review of the development strategy based on best practices, benchmarks, and overarching Digital Dubai corporate strategy. This is in addition to leading the development of software architecture and software solutions and Quality Assurance.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Strategic Planning

• Lead and direct the development of the Software Development Department strategy and operational plans, ensuring alignment with the Organization?s overall strategy to ensure vertical alignment and horizontal integration with other interfacing Department strategies across Digital Dubai
• Ensure that Department strategy and related strategic plans are implemented in line with the vision and mission of Digital Dubai
• Oversee the continuous evolution and development of the Software Development Department operating model to optimize performance and resource utilization and ensure alignment with Digital Dubai?s corporate structure

1. Job Specific Accountability

• Oversee the development of standards for software architecture, coding and associated guidelines ensuring the best use of frameworks and design patterns
• Oversee the development of the software architecture blueprint for Digital Dubai products and services
• Ensure implementation of industry best practices with regards to the software development lifecycle, software project management, software quality assurance and DevOps
• Support the product teams in the development of requirements and front end planning including providing input on cost, resourcing and schedule estimates
• Direct and oversee the execution of development activities in line with the approved plan
• Oversee the review and sign off of the requirement specifications
• Oversee the management of software release activities ensuring minimum disruption to the existing environment in coordination with the operations team
• Manage all personnel matters including staffing and deployment of developers across product teams
• Oversee the development of quality processes and controls to ensure adherence to quality standards
• Stay abreast of latest testing tools in the market and manage the licenses, procurement and deployment of existing testing tools to ensure provision of best-in-class quality support
• Lead the development and implementation of an effective future centric Enterprise Architecture and priorities to promote innovation in support of Digital Dubai goals, objectives and strategic direction
• Over see the development of business and technology capability frameworks, reference architecture viewpoints, architecture standards and governance review processes
• Take ownership of architectural decisions beyond the design phase ? into execution and rollout to ensure they are providing the expected value and help track the ROI and other metrics

1. Budgeting

• Partner with Finance to recommend the Software Development Department budget, consolidating reporting section budgets ensuring they align to Digital Dubai?s overall business targets and budget
• Monitor financial performance versus budget to identify and capitalize on potential areas for cost reduction and performance improvement opportunities

1. Internal Projects

• Lead and guide internal project/product teams in the planning, organizing, management and control of various projects in order to optimize efficiency, ensuring that the project cycle is completed in accordance with agreed project parameters (cost budget, timelines, scope and quality)

1. People Management

• Manage & evaluate team members performance by providing continuous feedback on their assigned targets and provide development opportunities to maximize potential and engagement
• Manage the talent pipeline in the Department through recruitment, effective utilization of development programs, mentoring programs, coaching, career planning and succession planning

1. Reporting

• Provide management information and insights on all dimensions of Department performance to facilitate discussion and decision making, both on a periodic basis and for ad-hoc executive management requests

1. Policies, Processes & Procedures

• Develop and oversee the implementation of Department policies, procedures and controls so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering quality, cost-effective services
• Optimization of policies, processes and procedures emphasizing digitization and paperless strategies
• Direct and oversee the development, updating, and implementation of various information security practices and standards to ensure the protection of Smart Dubai?s data and information in conjunction with the Information Security Department

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLSQualifications

• Bachelor?s degree in Computer Science / Information Technology or equivalent (Master?s Degree preferred)

Professional Certifications

• Relevant certification in software development such as CSDP (Certified Software Development Professional), PSDC (Professional Scrum Developer Certification) or equivalent is preferred

Years of Experience

• 12 ? 15 years of relevant experience in the design, development and release management of application software

Nature ofExperience

• 8 years in positions of progressively increasing managerial responsibilities relevant to software development

Job SpecificSkills

• Development and implementation of software solutions
• Software Architecture
• Enterprise Architecture
• Quality Assurance Frameworks
• Agile Product Management Frameworks and practices
• Secure software design
• UX/UI environments

Business Language Skills

• Fluent written and spoken English essential, Arabic preferred

Communication and Interaction Skills

• Adapts style and uses persuasion in delivering messages where issues may be complex, audience perspectives may be divergent, or information may be non-routine in nature

Keyskills :